Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727) Brief Introduction: Isaac Newton is best known for coming up with the idea of gravity while watching an apple fall to the ground in his orchard. However, Newton was a very accomplished man and is thought by many to be the founder of many of the principles still used in the areas of mathematics and physics today. Newton made many breakthroughs in the areas of science, especially physics, and was also interested in the areas of gravitation, alchemy, chemistry and even religion. Newton published his most famous book, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy in 1687. Newton deserves his place on the list of the top ten people in world history because he had a huge impact on the way that people viewed the world in his own time and his legacy has lasted for centuries, with many of his ideas still in use today. Quote: Isaac Newton: ‘I was like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me’. Timeline: 1642 – Newton is born at Woolsthorpe, in Lincolnshire, England. He did have an education here, though maintained throughout his life that he had been self-taught. 1661 – Newton attends Cambridge University after leaving school. 1664 – After reading books by scientists such as Robert Boyle and Robert Hooke, Newton becomes interested in optics and light and discovered that white light was made of many different colored rays of light. 1665 – During this time, Newton made most of his most important scientific discoveries. He believed that the same force applied to the moon as did to the apple that fell in his orchard, and referred to this as gravity. He studied the force needed to hold the moon in its orbit and the moon’s orbit path around the earth. Newton also published three books during this time. They dealt with gravitation, fluidity and sound waves. 1672 – Newton’s ideas about optics are brought to the public and were met with much criticism. When other scientists failed to reproduce and show that his experiments were right, Newton was faced with even more criticism. 1669 – Newton is made Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge. He continued lecturing at Cambridge until 1696. He also studied alchemy and chemistry during this time and believed that everything on earth was made up of solid and immovable particles, later to be known as atoms. 1671 – Newton is made a fellow of the Royal Society of London. 1692 – Newton’s book on optics, Opticks, is written, however was not published for many years because of a fear of criticism. When it did come out in print, the book was very successful. 1696 – Newton moves to London and became Master of the Mint, a position he remained in until his death. 1703 – Newton is made President of the Royal Society of London. 1704 – Newton publishes writings on his mathematical studies including differentiation and integration and the way that the two were linked. 1714 – Newton’s ideas become more accepted in English culture after peace was restored following the War of the Spanish Succession. He became known as one of the best philosophers in Europe. 1726 – Newton’s books are revised and published again. 1727 – Newton dies, aged 85. Newton’s place in world history: Newton is known as possibly the greatest mathematician and physicist of all time. He came up with many of the fundamental ideas within mathematics and physics, many of which are still in use today. Within mathematics, Newton was most famous for his contributions to calculus, especially differentiation and integration. However, he also studied the mathematical side of gravitation and mechanics, calculating the force needed to hold the moon in its orbit and the force needed to pull an object to the ground. Within his calculus studies, Newton was at constant war with another mathematician, Gottfried Leibniz, who had independently thought about the ideas of calculus. Newton had completed most of his study on calculus in 1666 and had outlined his work (not including differentiation and integration) to Leibniz. In 1684, Leibniz published his work, however in the 1690’s, Newton’s friends proclaimed him as the true discoverer. After this, there continued a long debate which even continued long after the death of Leibniz in 1716. Newton also studied astronomy and determined that the path of the moon was an ellipse shape. He also wrote and studied about gravity controlling the movement of the celestial bodies, the movement and motion of fluids, the force of gravity on comets, the relationship between the earth and Jupiter and the movement of the tides. Newton also spent much of his time studying optics. He discovered that white light was made up of all different wavelengths of light; however his work was not accepted when first published, largely due to the inability of other scientists to reproduce his work. Newton also studied alchemy and chemistry as well as taking part in many historical studies. He also wrote about Judeo-Christian prophecy as he believed that deciphering this would be essential for a person to really understand God. He was very religious and believed that God created the earth, a principle that showed through his scientific works. Newton’s basic ideas, though somewhat controversial in nature during his own time, are still used today in the branches of mathematics and science. His methods of differentiation and integration are still used today as the basis of calculus, his work on light and optics is still widespread and the modern gravitational principles are still fundamentally based on his own discoveries. His published works were fundamental Newton’s own success, his most important being Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy which outlined many of his thoughts and ideas about a range of topics. Newton was a very influential person and has had a lasting impact on the world as a result of his work in the areas of science and mathematics. Newton had both a big impact, evident from the effect he had on the people of his time, and a huge legacy which is evident in the influence that his work and discoveries still have on mathematics and science today. Historical perspectives of Newton: Probably the most controversial of Newton’s works was his work on optics. His ideas were very unconventional at the time and when another scientist was unable to reproduce the results of an experiment were Newton had proven that white light was made up of colored light, his ideas were widely criticized. He was also involved in an argument with the friends of Leibniz, another mathematician who also claimed to be the first to discover the fundamentals of calculus. Now, Newton and Leibniz are both credited with this discovery. Apart from this, most of Newton’s other work was accepted when it was published. His work on mechanics and gravity was accepted by British and world scientists and scholars alike at the time of publication. Newton is now credited as one of the founding leaders of mathematics and science and his fundamental ideas are still used today. Modern historians cannot disagree that Newton had a big impact on mathematics and science and that his work and studies influenced much modern work. The Most Important Person in World History – Isaac Newton Isaac Newton is, I believe, the most important person in world history. This is because, out of my top ten people in world history, Newton is the one that best fulfils my personal criteria for being the most important. I believe that to be the most important person in world history, a person must have significantly changed the way people thought in their day and must have had a lasting legacy that is still evident every day, all around the world, for many people. I believe that Newton is the most important person in world history because he, out of all ten of my chosen people, best fulfils the above criteria. Isaac Newton’s greatest contribution to mankind was within the area of science where he was able to make many breakthroughs as well as coming up with many of the fundamental ideas of physics and mathematics. Newton’s work included work on gravity, astronomy, chemistry, physics, forces, acceleration, motion and reaction. Newton had a big impact on how people thought in his day. He provided many of the fundamental ideas of physics and mathematics, all of which are still relevant in the modern world today. Newton also studied gravitation, mechanics, astronomy and optics and his fundamental theories and principles are still true today. Many people did not agree with Newton’s ideas when they were first presented and his work certainly led to some criticism. Newton significantly changed the way that people thought with his work and discoveries, showing that he had a significant impact on the people of his time. However, this impact has lasted long after Newton’s death. Newton has been credited with coming up with many of the fundamental ideas of physics that are still in use today. Many concepts of physics are used in everyday life including some of Newton’s own discoveries and theories. Because Newton has had such a strong impact on so many people and because his work is still relevant today, I believe that he is the most important person in world history. Newton’s impact is not only shown in his own country, but all around the world and for many people, everyday. This is why I believe him to be the most important person in world history; he significantly changed the way that people thought in his day and he has had a lasting legacy which is still evident and relevant.
Brief Introduction:
Isaac Newton is best known for coming up with the idea of gravity while watching an apple fall to the ground in his orchard. However, Newton was a very accomplished man and is thought by many to be the founder of many of the principles still used in the areas of mathematics and physics today. Newton made many breakthroughs in the areas of science, especially physics, and was also interested in the areas of gravitation, alchemy, chemistry and even religion. Newton published his most famous book, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy in 1687. Newton deserves his place on the list of the top ten people in world history because he had a huge impact on the way that people viewed the world in his own time and his legacy has lasted for centuries, with many of his ideas still in use today.
Quote:
Isaac Newton: ‘I was like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me’.
Timeline:
1642 – Newton is born at Woolsthorpe, in Lincolnshire, England. He did have an education here, though maintained throughout his life that he had been self-taught.
1661 – Newton attends Cambridge University after leaving school.
1664 – After reading books by scientists such as Robert Boyle and Robert Hooke, Newton becomes interested in optics and light and discovered that white light was made of many different colored rays of light.
1665 – During this time, Newton made most of his most important scientific discoveries. He believed that the same force applied to the moon as did to the apple that fell in his orchard, and referred to this as gravity. He studied the force needed to hold the moon in its orbit and the moon’s orbit path around the earth. Newton also published three books during this time. They dealt with gravitation, fluidity and sound waves.
1672 – Newton’s ideas about optics are brought to the public and were met with much criticism. When other scientists failed to reproduce and show that his experiments were right, Newton was faced with even more criticism.
1669 – Newton is made Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge. He continued lecturing at Cambridge until 1696. He also studied alchemy and chemistry during this time and believed that everything on earth was made up of solid and immovable particles, later to be known as atoms.
1671 – Newton is made a fellow of the Royal Society of London.
1692 – Newton’s book on optics, Opticks, is written, however was not published for many years because of a fear of criticism. When it did come out in print, the book was very successful.
1696 – Newton moves to London and became Master of the Mint, a position he remained in until his death.
1703 – Newton is made President of the Royal Society of London.
1704 – Newton publishes writings on his mathematical studies including differentiation and integration and the way that the two were linked.
1714 – Newton’s ideas become more accepted in English culture after peace was restored following the War of the Spanish Succession. He became known as one of the best philosophers in Europe.
1726 – Newton’s books are revised and published again.
1727 – Newton dies, aged 85.
Newton’s place in world history:
Newton is known as possibly the greatest mathematician and physicist of all time. He came up with many of the fundamental ideas within mathematics and physics, many of which are still in use today.
Within mathematics, Newton was most famous for his contributions to calculus, especially differentiation and integration. However, he also studied the mathematical side of gravitation and mechanics, calculating the force needed to hold the moon in its orbit and the force needed to pull an object to the ground.
Within his calculus studies, Newton was at constant war with another mathematician, Gottfried Leibniz, who had independently thought about the ideas of calculus. Newton had completed most of his study on calculus in 1666 and had outlined his work (not including differentiation and integration) to Leibniz. In 1684, Leibniz published his work, however in the 1690’s, Newton’s friends proclaimed him as the true discoverer. After this, there continued a long debate which even continued long after the death of Leibniz in 1716.
Newton also studied astronomy and determined that the path of the moon was an ellipse shape. He also wrote and studied about gravity controlling the movement of the celestial bodies, the movement and motion of fluids, the force of gravity on comets, the relationship between the earth and Jupiter and the movement of the tides.
Newton also spent much of his time studying optics. He discovered that white light was made up of all different wavelengths of light; however his work was not accepted when first published, largely due to the inability of other scientists to reproduce his work.
Newton also studied alchemy and chemistry as well as taking part in many historical studies. He also wrote about Judeo-Christian prophecy as he believed that deciphering this would be essential for a person to really understand God. He was very religious and believed that God created the earth, a principle that showed through his scientific works.
Newton’s basic ideas, though somewhat controversial in nature during his own time, are still used today in the branches of mathematics and science. His methods of differentiation and integration are still used today as the basis of calculus, his work on light and optics is still widespread and the modern gravitational principles are still fundamentally based on his own discoveries. His published works were fundamental Newton’s own success, his most important being Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy which outlined many of his thoughts and ideas about a range of topics.
Newton was a very influential person and has had a lasting impact on the world as a result of his work in the areas of science and mathematics. Newton had both a big impact, evident from the effect he had on the people of his time, and a huge legacy which is evident in the influence that his work and discoveries still have on mathematics and science today.
Historical perspectives of Newton:
Probably the most controversial of Newton’s works was his work on optics. His ideas were very unconventional at the time and when another scientist was unable to reproduce the results of an experiment were Newton had proven that white light was made up of colored light, his ideas were widely criticized.
He was also involved in an argument with the friends of Leibniz, another mathematician who also claimed to be the first to discover the fundamentals of calculus. Now, Newton and Leibniz are both credited with this discovery.
Apart from this, most of Newton’s other work was accepted when it was published. His work on mechanics and gravity was accepted by British and world scientists and scholars alike at the time of publication.
Newton is now credited as one of the founding leaders of mathematics and science and his fundamental ideas are still used today. Modern historians cannot disagree that Newton had a big impact on mathematics and science and that his work and studies influenced much modern work.
The Most Important Person in World History – Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton is, I believe, the most important person in world history. This is because, out of my top ten people in world history, Newton is the one that best fulfils my personal criteria for being the most important. I believe that to be the most important person in world history, a person must have significantly changed the way people thought in their day and must have had a lasting legacy that is still evident every day, all around the world, for many people. I believe that Newton is the most important person in world history because he, out of all ten of my chosen people, best fulfils the above criteria.
Isaac Newton’s greatest contribution to mankind was within the area of science where he was able to make many breakthroughs as well as coming up with many of the fundamental ideas of physics and mathematics. Newton’s work included work on gravity, astronomy, chemistry, physics, forces, acceleration, motion and reaction.
Newton had a big impact on how people thought in his day. He provided many of the fundamental ideas of physics and mathematics, all of which are still relevant in the modern world today. Newton also studied gravitation, mechanics, astronomy and optics and his fundamental theories and principles are still true today. Many people did not agree with Newton’s ideas when they were first presented and his work certainly led to some criticism. Newton significantly changed the way that people thought with his work and discoveries, showing that he had a significant impact on the people of his time.
However, this impact has lasted long after Newton’s death. Newton has been credited with coming up with many of the fundamental ideas of physics that are still in use today. Many concepts of physics are used in everyday life including some of Newton’s own discoveries and theories. Because Newton has had such a strong impact on so many people and because his work is still relevant today, I believe that he is the most important person in world history. Newton’s impact is not only shown in his own country, but all around the world and for many people, everyday. This is why I believe him to be the most important person in world history; he significantly changed the way that people thought in his day and he has had a lasting legacy which is still evident and relevant.